Author: Toth Team Worldwide

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Kathy Toth and Team are Washtenaw County, Michigan real estate experts who will guide home buyers and sellers through the entire real estate process. Our extensive knowledge of Washtenaw County areas, combined with decades of expertise in the local real estate market is extremely valuable to helping you achieve your goals. For quality service and personal attention during your real estate transaction, contact Kathy Toth and Team for all your home buying and selling needs.

We want to be your real estate agents!

Easy Tips to Hanging Holiday Lights for Your Ann Arbor, MI Home

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 10, 2013

The holiday season is just around the corner in Ann Arbor, which means that you need to start thinking about hanging up your Christmas lights. It is an amazing feeling when you get this task done, but many people do not relish doing it. The key to getting it done is getting it started. Once you get some momentum going, it will be done in short order. To help you find the motivation to hang your Christmas lights this year, follow these tips to make it easy on yourself:

Ann Arbor MI Christmas Lights — by Christmas Lights, Etc

Spots & Tips to Hanging Holiday Lights Outdoors

Displaying holiday lights around the exterior of your Ann Arbor home is a great way to show your holiday spirit this year. Dazzle neighbors and children alike with colorful decorations that makes everyone feel at home this holiday. To get started, think about where you want to hang your lights. Places like the driveway, front door, bushes & trees, and around the windows are great places to add strings of lights.

Measure the area where you want to hang lights and consider how many lights you’ll need for the project. Also be sure to collect all your supplies, such as your work gloves, stepladder, and extension cords, to make the process easier. Once you’ve done the initial preparation, begin by testing the lights. Plug them in and spot any that aren’t working. It’s suggested you don’t connect more than 3 strands together, in case of any electrical surges. To save you time from turning the lights on and off, get a timer that is weatherproof and let the machine take care of the work for you.

Additional things to consider include clips, tacks, and adhesives made for hanging lights outside.

Spots & Tips to Hanging Holiday Lights Indoors

Besides placing lights around your Christmas tree, there are a number of other areas you can spread joy around the house. Places you might want to consider hanging lights include:

Around the walls of your bedroom
On the fireplace mantel
Up the stair rail
On a wreath
Around the windows

Again, be sure to measure the area where you will hang lights at and prepare the supplies. Items like transparent tape, tacks, and twist ties come in handy when hanging lights indoors. Always remember to work from the highest point first and work your way down. If you use tacks, make sure not to pierce the electrical wiring. If you place any lights in seasonal wreaths, consider using battery-operated lights to save you time and hassle.

12 Tips to Selling Your Ann Arbor Home Before the Holidays

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 6, 2013

Winter is upon us in Ann Arbor, and that means cold and snow. It can be difficult to drag potential home buyers out to your property to give it a look, so you need to do everything in your power to make your home as appealing as possible. While the task is daunting, get in the spirit of the season and you can accomplish wonders in just twelve days. Here are 12 tips to selling your home before the holidays:

Day 1: Find an Agent & See How They Can Sell Your Home

Finding the right real estate agent is complex and subjective, but it’s the first thing you should do. Interview possible agents and find out how successful they are, how much of a commission they command and what methods they use to market your home. Starting things off with the right agent makes everything that much smoother.

Day 2: See What Your Home is Worth

Your agent can help with this step. Combine their recent market analysis with your own research into recently sold homes. Look at the sale values for homes of a similar size and location as yours. This should give you an idea of what prices you can expect to draw interest.

Day 3: Decide on a Listing Price

If you set your price too high, you’ll fail to attract any buyers at all. Set it too low and you’re throwing away money. Talk with your agent to set a competitive price that will attract buyers to leave the comfort of their current homes to come check out yours.

Day 4: Make any Necessary Repair

Broken tiles, leaky faucets, warped floorboards, chipping paint — these are all common in older Ann Arbor houses, and they’re all problems that require time and money to solve. Invest this money yourself and you’ll make your home look more enticing to buyers. People want to buy homes that are in good condition, not fixer-uppers.

Day 5: Clear the Clutter in Each Room

No, you can’t just shove your stuff in a closet. Closet space in older Michigan homes is at a premium, so buyers will check to see what you have available. Clear out as much as you can, either boxing up, selling or donating what you don’t need. You’re moving once you close the sale, and clearing out clutter helps prepare. Also, you should get rid of any clutter lying around the house, including toys on the bedroom floor and papers stacked in the home office. Minimize things and your home will appear more spacious — a quality home buyers look at.

Day 6: Arrange Furniture in a way that sells

Avoid cluttered rooms. Never leave a room empty. Make sure traffic flow works. The layout in some of these old homes can be odd, so play around with furniture until you get a layout that feels right.

Day 7: Stage the Bathroom

No one lives with a spa bathroom, but everyone wants to think they can. Spice up your bathroom to attract buyers. Hide or remove your personal items, clean everything up, and spruce up the decor. A little hardware goes a long way.

Day 8: Stage the Kitchen

What applies to the bathroom applies to the kitchen. Clean up the appliances, hide your counter-top machines and display the selling points. If it has a window, emphasize natural light. If it’s cramped and small, make sure it’s well lit and gleams.

Day 9: Enhance the Curb Appeal

If it snows, clear the driveway and sidewalks, salt them, and avoid marching through the yard. Make it as picturesque as possible. If it hasn’t snowed yet, clear leaves and make the lawn look neat.

Day 10: Add Seasonal Touches

A few ornamental Christmas items can go a long way towards putting your buyers in the right mood. A couple of candles, lit before they arrive, can make your home smell inviting and pleasant. Be subtle and non-denominational, not garish.

Day 11: Prepare & Host an Open House

Advertise early and leave the rest to your agent. Having the seller present distracts buyers and leaves you prone to making excuses. Your house should be staged by now; trust your agent to handle the rest.

Day 12: Review Feedback from the Open House

If you don’t have a serious buyer, it’s time to revise your strategy. What made your house less appealing to buyers? Do you need to reduce the price? With the aid of your agent, you can use the open house feedback and repeat the process until your home sells.

Selling Your Home in Ann Arbor, MI

If you’d like more information about selling your home in the Ann Arbor area, read our free home seller’s eBook:

Kathy Toth Reveals Ann Arbor Real Estate Market Conditions on the Lucy Ann Lance Show

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 5, 2013

When radio host Lucy Ann Lance asked Ann Arbor REALTOR® Kathy Toth about the local housing market, she received a wealth of information. “Average home prices year-to-date in Washtenaw County are up 18 percent,” Toth reported. “Meanwhile, the number of units sold did not change by much. The shortage of home inventory accelerated our home prices.”

Lance questioned how this has affected Ann Arbor home buyers. “We had multiple offers and bidding wars,” Toth explained. “Buyers who made their best offers first, and who used escalation clauses in their offers, were the most successful.”

Buyers who resisted the market trends were often disappointed. “A two thousand dollar difference in price is only about twenty cents a month on your mortgage payment,” Toth added. “There’s nothing worse than calling your buyers the next day and telling them the house was sold to someone else – over such a small difference in the offers.”

Ann Arbor and Dexter are the most competitive markets in Washtenaw County, with home absorption rates of 3.2 months and 3.8 months, respectively. Absorption rates under 6 months indicate a seller’s market. The fastest-moving market segment involves homes that are priced from $200,000 to $400,000.

When Lance asked what challenges remain for the market, Toth pointed to low home appraisals. “Appraisers remain skittish, and sometimes appraisals are based on outdated information,” Toth says. “In some cases we can point out mistakes made by the appraiser, or prove that the market has more recent data to use.”

Ultimately, if a low appraisal stands, there are still ways to save the deal. Toth illustrated an example. “If a home is truly over-priced, a seller may agree to a price reduction. Home buyers can also bring more cash to the table to cover the difference between their financing and the sale price.”

When questioned about the status of short sales and foreclosures, Toth had good news to share. “Two and a half years ago, distressed sales were 21 percent of our market. Now they’re only five percent of the market.”

Toth explained that homeowners who are experiencing a hardship suffer an emotional burden on top of a financial one. She advocates short sales as an important solution. “I’ve seen lenders forgive as much as $150,000 in debt,” says Toth. “We’ve negotiated debt forgiveness with first, second, and sometimes even third lien holders. We also negotiate credit reporting to help protect the seller’s credit history.”

The key to a successful short sale? “Comply with the paperwork demands,” Toth says. “And be patient.”

Looking to the future, Toth sees market conditions remaining positive in 2014. “We are on the right track, but there is more room for recovery. As long as interest rates remain stable, we should continue to see home price appreciation through 2014.”

Kathy Toth & Team have been serving Washtenaw County real estate including Dexter, Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Saline clients for over 20 years. They are among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally and have been featured twice on House Hunters HGTV. Toth works directly with listing and buyer representative partners, with a goal of exceeding her client’s expectations while meeting their real estate purchase or sale objectives.

A recording of the radio broadcast aired by WLBY 1290AM can be accessed online at www.KathyToth.com/radio_shows. For more information about Kathy Toth & Team and their array of client services, visit www.KathyToth.com.

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate: 11225 Sand Hill Drive, Grass Lake

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 5, 2013

11225 Sand Hill Drive

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3.5 Square Feet: 2,425

See Virtual Tour for 11225 Sand Hill Drive

Attention to detail is around every corner in this 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home! Step in to the beautiful formal living and dining rooms. The large windows, crown molding and chandelier give a sophisticated first impression. Move into the gourmet kitchen that will impress the most discerning home chef with abundant cabinetry and a center. The open floor plan will make entertaining a breeze with the adjacent great room and dining area with a lovely bay window. The great room is open and bright with vaulted ceilings, large windows and a cozy fireplace.

The details continue on the second floor with a spa like master suite. You will not be disappointed in the master bathroom! Dual vanities, soaking tub and separate tile shower are sure to impress. The second floor is completed with three additional spacious bedrooms and a full bathroom. A finished basement with a rec room, bedroom and full bathroom complete the home. Relax outdoors on the deck and enjoy the wide open space. Don’t miss this Ann Arbor area real estate gem!

ANN ARBOR AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

2405 Carlton Drive

8762 Mast Road

Kathy Toth and Team

Your Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts

Keller Williams Realty

Explore Ann Arbor Homes for Sale

We want to be your real estate agents!

Home Foreclosures: Becoming a Thing of the Past

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 4, 2013

Last month, the Washtenaw County Clerk released a new report on the number of Sheriff’s Deeds being processed in Washtenaw County. Only 23 Sheriff’s Deeds were recorded for the month of November, continuing the downward trend of declining foreclosures in the Ann Arbor area. It has been the lowest total of any month for the last 8 years. For homeowners and property buyers, this is a positive sign for the housing market’s recovery. Across the nation, real estate agents and homeowners are noticing a clear decline in foreclosures. According to Daily Finance, home foreclosures are on track to end at a 6-year low.

Here’s a look at the decline in recorded Sheriff’s Deeds around Washtenaw County:

Washtenaw County Sheriffs Deeds — Courtesy of Washtenaw County’s Clerk & Register of Deeds

What does Declining Home Foreclosures Mean?

Foreclosures tend to have a negative impact on home values around the area. Buyer perception coupled with home neglect usually drops home prices in that particular neighborhood. However, as we’re seeing an decline in home foreclosures, we can safely assume buyer confidence is growing. Home values are on the rise and residents are making new home purchases.

Homeowners will find this a great time to list their property for sale — as values are rising and there’s plenty of buyer activity. Buyers benefit from the decline in foreclosures, because they can trust the value of their home will stay strong for the next few years. The real estate market is making a recovery on all fronts.

To help demonstrate the decline in foreclosures around Michigan, here is compiled data on home foreclosures from RealtyTrac.com:

Ann Arbor Foreclosure Decline — Courtesy of RealtyTrac

Buying & Selling Your Home in Washtenaw County

As Michigan continues to see foreclosure activity decline to levels before the housing crash, home buyers and sellers in Washtenaw County can feel confident that their home investment will bring a return value. If you have any questions about the recent foreclosure news, feel free to contact us or start searching for your next home purchase today:

Your Ann Arbor, MI Holiday Calendar

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 4, 2013

Check out local festivities happening around Ann Arbor this holiday season and use our Holiday Calendar to mark down your favorite dates. You and the family can enjoy visits by Santa Claus and run in holiday 5k races. Also, be sure to check out our blog on December 6th and read our upcoming blog post: 12 tips to selling your home before the holidays!

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Dexter Real Estate: 8762 Mast Road

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on December 4, 2013

8762 Mast Road

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Feet: 1,967

See Virtual Tour for 8762 Mast Road

This is a perfect property, perfect opportunity in Webster Township. This great tri-level in the Dexter Community School district is just minutes from the Charming Village of Dexter and 20 minutes from Ann Arbor.

Upon entering you are greeted by a large living room with a cathedral ceiling and a great view through the large picture window. This room leads directly to the kitchen with dining area. The kitchen has a skylight and all the appliances are included. From the dining area a fabulous screen porch awaits. The three season porch is lined with wood and over looks the lovely treed yard. Perfect place to enjoy a book, or your morning coffee.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms, including a master suite with a full bathroom. There is a family bathroom on the second level as well. The lower level is large and the perfect place for a media room or an entertaining space. It features a full brick wall with a natural fireplace. There is a fourth bedroom on this level, perfect for guests, or a home office. The home has a laundry room, also on the lower level. The crawl space has a cement floor, great storage opportunity.

This home has a two car attached garage, as well as an additional 2.5 car detached garage, for all the toys! This home should sell fast, so schedule a look today so you don’t get distraught and cry yourself silly! This truly is a perfect piece of Dexter Area Real Estate!

Additional DEXTER AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

2405 Carlton Drive

7881 Baker Heights

Kathy Toth and Team

Your Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts

Keller Williams Realty

See What Mortgage Loan You Qualify For

We want to be your real estate agents!

Bad Habits to Avoid while Applying for a Mortgage

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on November 27, 2013

Most families save for years to buy their first home in Ann Arbor. Entering into a mortgage contract that will require several decades of payments is a process that requires smart decisions before, during, and after the application process. There are a number of simple mistakes that future homeowners tend to make during the application for a mortgage, and these errors may result in higher costs associated with home ownership.

When Things Go Wrong with Your Mortgage

The time that it takes to approve a mortgage is usually around a month and a half, and that’s a long time that a future homeowner must be on his or her best behavior. During particularly busy lending times, the wait may be even longer, and it’s imperative that a homeowner doesn’t make simple mistakes that could lead to a denial or higher interest rates.

Bad Habits to Avoid During the Mortgage Process

1. Closing credit card accounts

One of the factors in determining an interest rate is the number of “revolving credit” cards a family has at any given time. A few credit cards with high balances that are at the limit represent a much smaller percentage of available credit than a half dozen cards with a higher available amount of credit. Don’t close credit cards while applying for a mortgage.

2. Applying for more credit

Getting a new car loan or applying for new credit cards is a terrible idea when a family has an active mortgage application. Even if the family car is a rust bucket that barely runs, it’s best to wait a few months before heading to the car dealership to get a new vehicle. Also consider holding off on any vehicle upgrades until the mortgage has been granted. Getting an SUV with a third row of seats can wait a few months.

3. Switching jobs or employers

One of the primary indicators that a borrower will be granted approval is steady work history. Lenders often have minimums in place regarding length of employment at a single employer, and switching jobs may throw off the entire mortgage process. Outside of extraordinary circumstances, employment must be maintained throughout the application process. Likewise, an application should never be made in the first place if employment history cannot be verified or isn’t consistent.

4. Failing to pay bills

There’s a lot of work that goes into applying for a mortgage. You try to do everything right, but if you have bills that aren’t being paid on time, then you’re application is at risk of being denied. Vigilance regarding debts and payments is just as necessary after the application process has begun as it is before an application is made.

5. Keep bank accounts stable

Moving money around into different accounts, making large deposits (or withdrawals), and opening new bank accounts aren’t activities that should occur during the mortgage application process. It’s crucial to have the paperwork, receipts, or records available to document why a large deposit or withdrawal was made. Try to avoid such activities entirely until the mortgage approval is complete.

Getting a Home Mortgage in Ann Arbor, MI

Ensure your home’s mortgage approval and a successful move by avoiding bad behavior during the mortgage application process. The best behavior will always be to remain steady and consistent with all financial dealings during the application process.

Ann Arbor Real Estate: 2405 Carlton Drive

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on November 23, 2013

2405 Carlton Drive

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1

Square Feet: 1096

See Virtual Tour for 24o5 Carlton Drive

This pristine 1947 ranch is ready for you to move in to. With an knotty pine sun room over looking an extra-large treed lot this home says come and relax. Enter this home through the front door and into a foyer, a wonderful detail usually seen in larger homes. The floors beneath the carpet are hardwood throughout the main floor are just waiting to shine. The sun filled living room flows into the formal dining room, which leads to the charming kitchen. The entire floor plan lends itself to entertaining The updated kitchen has an eating space counter and leads to the knotty pine sun room with wall to wall windows that could easily be heated and is counted in the square footage.

The first floor also has two nice sized bedrooms and one full bath. The lower level is complete with a finished area for extra living space. The mechanical room and laundry are also on the lower level. The one and a half car garage matches the exterior of the home and makes this home so darling. Updates include: Kitchen 2008, Water heater 2005, Furnace and AC 2000, Roof 1999. The home is covered by a Home Warranty of America 13 Month Program. This is truly a gem in the Ann Arbor Real Estate Market!

ANN ARBOR AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

1027 Macarthur Drive

7881 Baker Heights Court

Kathy Toth and Team